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Herringbone Single Crochet: A Guide

  • Writer: pearledwing
    pearledwing
  • Feb 26
  • 2 min read

Herringbone Single Crochet has been one of the most mind-bending (or should I say hand-bending) crochet stitches I’ve learnt.


Herringbone Single Crochet (also known as chevron stitch) creates a wonderful texture of V stitches or little arrows reminiscent of a fish skeleton, but it’s a bit of a pain to learn!


A close up detail of herringbone single crochet in beige yarn.
Herringbone Single Crochet

Personally, I love the look of this stitch as it looks a little like nalbinding (a craft I’m currently trying to learn) and thus gives a historical look to crochet.


My Knarr Sweater and Cardigan patterns feature this stitch so I thought I’d better make a stitch guide.


Woman wearing Knarr sweater, lifting arm to show the Herringbone Single Crochet on the underside of the sleeve.
Knarr Sweater with Herringbone Single Crochet Under Sleeves

Notes

  • Don’t keep your tension too tight. You need to be able to work into the legs of your single crochets.

  • Herringbone Single Crochet involves working through the left leg of the previous stitch (right leg for the left-handed).

  • Wrong Side rows involve inserting hook from the back to the front of the work and pulling working yarn from the front to the back.

  • The wrong side rows will take a while to understand but don't give up!


YouTube Video

I made a short video of the Herringbone Single Crochet stitch.


How to make Herringbone Single Crochet


Step 1

Make a chain of any length plus 1 turning chain.

A red crochet hook is inserted into beige yarn, forming a chain on a wooden surface. The setting is calm and focused on crafting.

Step 2

In the second chain from the hook, make 1 single crochet.

Beginning sc stitch

Step 3

This is where things get interesting.

Instead of working another normal single crochet, insert your hook into the left leg of the previous single crochet (right leg if you’re left-handed).

Beige yarn in a crochet chain stitch with a red hook on a wooden table background. Working into the left leg of the first single crochet.

Insert hook into the next stitch as usual.

Red crochet hook with beige yarn on wooden surface, forming a simple crochet chain. Hook is inserted into the next chain on the stitch.

Yarn over and pull loop up through stitch.

Red crochet hook holding 3 loops of beige yarn on a wooden table.

Yarn over and pull through all loops on your hook.

Second right side herringbone single crochet stitch formed.

Step 4

Repeat step 3 across the row. Insert hook into left leg of previous sc, insert hook into next stitch, yarn over and pull up a loop, yarn over and pull through all loops on hook.

Row 1 of herringbone single crochet complete.

Step 5

This is where things start to get hand-bending!

Ch 1, turn but keep your working yarn at the front of your work.

Beginning the wrong side row of herringbone single crochet. Showing 1 row completed and a turning chain.

Insert hook from the back through the first stitch to the front.

Red hook inserted through the back of the crochet piece to the front.

Grab the working yarn with the hook.

Close up showing the hook inserted backwards through the work, picking up a loop of the working yarn.

Pull a loop through to the back of the work.

Pulling a loop of yarn through to the back of the work.

Yarn over and pull through 2 loops.

Image shows first stitch of Herringbone single crochet on the wrong side.

Step 6

On the back of the work, insert hook through the left leg of the single crochet stitch just worked.

Starting to work the wrong side of herringbone single crochet.

Insert hook through the next stitch, from the back to the front.

Inserting hook from the back to the front to create wrong side herringbone crochet stitches.

Grab the working yarn from the front of the work and pull a loop through to the back of the work.

Wrong side of herringbone single crochet in progress.

Yarn over and pull through all loops.

Image of a red crochet hook and beige crochet, showing herringbone single crochet in progress after second stitch on the wrong side is complete.

Step 7

Repeat step 6 across the row.

Red crochet hook and beige yarn piece on a wooden table, showcasing the wrong side of herringbone single crochet.

Beige crochet yarn showing 2 rows of herringbone single crochet on a wooden table, held by a red crochet hook.
Herringbone Single Crochet from the front after 2 rows.
A red crochet hook with a beige yarn project on a wooden surface. The pattern is straight and orderly, showing neat, parallel stitches of herringbone crochet.
Herringbone Single Crochet from the front after 4 rows.

I use the Herringbone Single Crochet stitch in my upcoming patterns Knarr Sweater and Knarr cardigan.


Four images of a person in colourful crochet sweaters and hats, outdoors on grass. The mood is cozy and contemplative.
Clockwise from top: Knarr Hooded Cardigan, Knarr Hat, Knarr Sweater, Knarr Cardigan

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